GMOs: Controversy and Benefits of a Technological Discovery - Essay Sample

Introduction

The development of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) is a technological discovery which has impacted life in a great way. Despite the contribution of GMOs to alleviating food shortage and saving lives, it has been marred with extreme controversy. Many people do not exactly understand what GMOs are and those who understand have all the reasons to degrade GMOs. This paper will address the controversy facing the GMOs in the world today.

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One of the most cited genetically modified organisms is agricultural plants. Although GMOs lead to increased crop yields, reduced costs for drug production or food production and resistance of crops to pests and diseases, many people are questioning the safety of using GMOs. Scholars and researchers are concerned about whether enough research has been done to affirm whether GMOs are safe for human consumption or not. Many people are concerned about the allergenic properties which GMO may impart as well as the possible transfer effects of antibiotic resistance since many antibiotic resistance marker genes are used for various GMOs. There is also the issue of the drift of pollen from genetically modified crops which has marred GMOs.

Although many GMO crusaders argue that GMOs add to the nutritional value and preservation of foods, critics feel cheated (Chien). Their view is that GMOs are not safe for use as they have not been fully tested to pass them as safe for human consumption. The use of GMOs attracts excessive use of herbicides and pesticides. For instance, if one is growing GMO plants, he or she will be forced to use a lot of pesticides and herbicides much of which is absorbed by the plant and may cause harm when consumed by human beings.

Those in support of GMO argue that it is extremely difficult to obtain a GMO-free product. Even those companies which label their products as "GMO-free, it is hard to prove this. Non-GMO Project communication manager, Caroline Kinsman says that "it's not scientifically or legally defensible to call something GMO free" (Chien). She says that it is not possible to claim that a product is GMO-free unless it has been undertaken through a rigorous process of verification. He says that most products are tested in the final stage and this is why it is hard to find traces of GMO in the final product although the ingredients used might have had traces of GMO.

The other controversy facing GMOs is that many biotechnology companies such as Monsanto have used certain technology so many times on the same crops and in the same fields to the extent that insects and weeds develop resistance (Chien). Such kind of resistance is an issue that needs to be addressed before one may cite a crop as being GMO-free. However, those in support of GMOs cite that the ability of weeds and insects to develop resistance is not a result of GMO. Even if other chemicals were used, insects and weeds would still develop resistance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the divisive controversy between the pro-GMO and anti-GMO crusaders has affected the lives of many people. Many people do not know what to eat or use in their farms because of the divided opinions presented by the two camps. As the controversy continues, many people are left wondering which way to go. Until the controversy is resolved, the use of GMOs will remain supported and opposed in equal measure.

Works Cited

Chien, Shanley. "Genetically Modified Food Is Healthy." Global Sustainability, edited by Dedria Bryfonski, Greenhaven Press, 2016.